December 20, 2022
By News Director Jared Atha
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced it will award more than $500,000 to Oklahoma businesses to expand access to clean energy across rural communities in an effort to combat climate change.
Half a dozen small rural businesses and agricultural producers will receive federal money through the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program to help develop renewable energy systems and help make energy efficiency improvements, like lowering energy costs.
One of those businesses benefiting from the program is located in Weatherford.
The USDA broke down how the $500,000 will be used in its announcement, saying that Richardson Rentals out of Weatherford will use a $27,238 grant to install a new Geothermal system. The project will replace 172,619 kilowatt hours (kWh) (76 percent of the company’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 15 homes.
Richardson Rentals will also use a $22,481 grant to purchase and install LED lighting throughout its store. This project will replace 47,300 kilowatt hours (kWh) (20 percent of the company’s energy use) per year.
A grocery store in Hobart will also benefit from the program.
Clink’s Inc. will use a $70,300 grant to purchase and install an Energy Efficient Refrigeration System at their location in Hobart. he project will replace 155,929 kilowatt hours (kWh), a 54 percent energy savings for the small business.
In this latest round of Rural Energy for America funding, the USDA has announced $285 million toward rural renewable energy infrastructure across 46 states, including Oklahoma.
The USDA also announced it will make an additional $300 million available under the Rural Energy for America Program, including $250 million through the Inflation Reduction Act. Small rural businesses and agricultural producers can apply for grant money by March 31, 2023.
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